The Essay Assessment Criteria in the Maturity Exam: A Comparative Study - Albania, United Kingdom, Italy

The study of the student's writing product in the final exam of the Pre-university education process in Albania is built upon detailed analyses that include the structure of the writing, the topic of the essay, and the criteria for assessing the essay. This study extended the analyses to comparative levels with the same processes in the UK and Italy. For its realization, contemporary and traditional literature supports and argues the importance of the writing process (essay) within the Final Exam of Pre-university Education. The analysis aimed to determine the efficiency of the writing process in the Final Exam, the impact of positive practices, the level of student proficiency in the mother tongue (L1), and the identification of differences and similarities with the processes in the referred educational systems. To achieve these objectives, research and review methods were used, focusing on documenting the responsible institutions. Simultaneously, comparative methods within the State Matura process in Albania and the comparative extension to similar processes in the UK and Italy clarified the conclusions and recommendations that concluded the paper. The recommendations offer ideas for urgently revising the structuring of the process and improving the methods of essay assessment based on comparative analyses. The aim is to enhance the quality of education and accuracy in assessment and encourage cooperation with Europe's best practices. Received: 1 July 2024 / Accepted: 26 August 2024 / Published: 05 September 2024